Wireless controller with gateway

ABSTRACT

Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to affect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/700,643,filed Feb. 4, 2010, entitled “WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY”, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/777,143 filedJul. 12, 2007, entitled “WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY”, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/792,027 filed Mar.2, 2004, entitled “WIRELESS CONTROLLER WITH GATEWAY”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to utility consumption control, andmore particularly to a controller with a local gateway for executingremote utility consumption control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic controllers such as thermostats and fan controls are used tocontrol a variety of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC)equipment as well as other fuel and power consumption equipment.Furnaces, heat pumps, gas burners, water heaters, electric radiators,water radiators, air conditioners, chillers, fans, blowers and humiditycontrollers are example types of equipment for which electroniccontrollers are used. These equipment types are often grouped into thecategory called “HVAC.” Controllers for these equipment types are oftenlocated in user-accessible locations that are remote from the controlledequipment. For instance, thermostats are commonly placed on interiorwalls of a dwelling and located remotely from controlled HVAC equipmentthat is located, for example, in a utility room or a basement. Typicalcontrollers accept user inputs received via keypads or other inputdevices and use the inputs to generate control outputs for controllingHVAC equipment and other equipment types. Often, the controller alsoincludes and/or is coupled to a temperature sensor and acceptstemperature set point inputs. Control signals are sent to HVAC equipmentas a function of the set point inputs and an output from the temperaturesensor. For instance, when in a furnace system is in heating mode, asignal calling for heat is sent to the furnace in response to sensingthat a temperature that is lower than a set point.

Residential and industrial HVAC type applications rely upon utilityproviders to supply the electricity and/or fuel required for operationof HVAC equipment. One challenge confronting such utility providerstoday is the great variance in total demand on a network between peakand off-peak times during the day. Peak demand periods are intervals ofvery high demand on power generating equipment or on fuel supply whereload shedding may be necessary to maintain proper service to thenetwork. These periods occur, for example, during hot summer daysoccasioned by the wide spread simultaneous usage of electrical airconditioning devices or during the coldest winter months in areas wherea strong heating load is required.

Another characteristic of utility supply and usage (e.g., electricand/or fuel usage) is the variance in cost of the utility being suppliedunder different conditions. For instance the cost of providing a utilitycan increase during peak supply times due to a variety of conditions.The efficiency of power generation or fuel supply equipment, limitationsin a utility distribution network, economical cost/demand relationshipsand other factors all affect utility costs. In this regard, certaincustomers are amenable to relinquishing the control of their utilityrequirements as a function of cost, and certain utilities preferablycharge for services as a function of the time at which usage occurs.

Several basic strategies and devices have been utilized for controllingHVAC equipment in order to limit the peak power demand on the power andfuel generating capacity of utility companies. One such approachinvolves sending signals from a utility to disconnect or interrupt theuse of certain selected HVAC loads (e.g., air conditioning compressors)when demand has reached a certain point. Another approach involvesassuming control of a setpoint function of a thermostat associated withHVAC equipment. The overriding control functions cause the setpoint tochange to use less power or fuel at times of high demand or high unitcost.

Such approaches can be implemented for reducing power or fuelconsumption during peak demand times or other times when the reductionin utility usage is desirable, such as during periods when the powerand/or fuel cost per unit is high. However, typical energy-reductionimplementations involve the installation of control equipment at theHVAC equipment, such as by directly coupling a controller to a furnace.This installation of control equipment has often required that skilledtechnicians physically install the control equipment at its location,which also often required that the technician have access to customerenvironment (e.g., access to a customer's home). In addition, typicallyinstallations of this type often require a significant amount oftechnician time, which can be expensive.

Accordingly, the above-discussed issues have been challenging to theimplementation of a variety of devices and systems involving climatecontrol and particularly involving the control of HVAC and otherequipment in response to price and/or demand conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the issues described above and others that will becomeapparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, thepresent invention discloses a system, apparatus and method foraddressing challenges related to equipment control and relatedcontroller installation.

In accordance with one example embodiment of the invention, a wirelesscommunications device is configured and arranged to controlenergy-consuming equipment in response to both local control inputs andwireless control inputs received from a gateway. The local controlinputs are received, e.g., at the wireless communications device usingan input device such as a keypad as is typically used for thermostats.The wireless control inputs originate from a location remote from thegateway, such as a utility provider that configures the controlinformation as a function of one or more of a variety of characteristicsor an end-user sending control inputs via the gateway to remotelycontrol the energy-consuming equipment. With this approach, the controlof local energy-consuming devices can be effected without necessarilycoupling a controller directly to the energy-consuming devices and, insome instances, without necessarily accessing premises at which theenergy is consumed. For instance, by wirelessly communicating between autility gateway and a thermostat wired to an HVAC system, the gatewaydoes not necessarily have to directly couple to the HVAC system.

In a more particular example embodiment of the present invention, thewireless communications device includes a thermostat and circuitry forproviding control signals to HVAC equipment using, for example,conventional wired connections commonly used in thermostat applications.The thermostat includes a keypad type device for receiving user inputsat the thermostat for use in controlling the climate in an environment.A wireless transceiver at the wireless communications devicecommunicates with the gateway for passing signals between the gatewayand the thermostat, with signals received from the gateway being used tocontrol the HVAC equipment. As with the example embodiment discussedabove, this approach facilitates the control of HVAC equipment withcontrol signals sent via the gateway and without necessarily couplingthe gateway directly to the HVAC equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various example embodiments of the invention are described in connectionwith the embodiments illustrated in the following diagrams.

FIG. 1 is an HVAC controller adapted to wirelessly communicate with agateway for controlling HVAC equipment, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is system showing a user dwelling with an HVAC system andcontroller responsive to a utility gateway, according to another exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for controlling an HVAC system with signalssent via a gateway, according to another example embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a radio frequency (RF) thermostat base arrangement adapted tocouple to a thermostat and to wirelessly communicate with a gateway forpassing signals between the gateway and the thermostat, according toanother example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a system including a gateway adapted to communicativelycouple to a plurality of thermostats located in different environmentsand to pass signals between a utility signal source and the plurality ofthermostats, according to another example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is an HVAC system controller configured and arranged towirelessly communicate directly with a utility provider, according toanother example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for an installation approach involving remoteutility control, according to another example embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration particular embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized, as structural and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a systemcontroller installed, e.g., at a user-accessible controller locationwirelessly communicates with a utility gateway for receiving controlsignals facilitating external utility control of an electrical and/orfuel-consuming system. The gateway responds to input received from autility company source by wirelessly sending a control-type signal tothe system controller. The system controller responds to thecontrol-type signal by controlling the operation of equipment such as afurnace, air conditioner or water heater, for instance by altering powerand/or fuel consumption thereof. With this approach, utility companiescan effect control of a local system, such as a residential orcommercial HVAC system, without necessarily having to communicatedirectly with equipment that uses electricity or fuel supplied by theutility company. In addition, this control approach is effected via asystem controller, removing any necessity to access the equipment beingcontrolled for installation purposes or to install an interfacecontroller at the equipment being controlled.

The gateway communicates with the utility company using one or more of avariety of types of communications and communications systems. Forinstance, signals sent to the gateway via telephone lines, wirelesstelephony systems, paging systems, power lines and the Internet can allbe used by the gateway to generate a wireless control-type signal. Thegateway responds to signals received from the utility company, forexample, by either directly relaying the signal or processing the signalto create another type of signal that is sent to the system controller.The gateway also communicates information received from the systemcontroller to the utility company, for example to allow the utilitycompany to monitor the implementation of utility inputs.

In some instances, different types of communications are used fordifferent types of signals communicated via the gateway. For example, asimple paging signal may be broadcast to a plurality of gateways toinitiate an energy-reducing event, with each gateway correspondinglycommunicating to system controllers using a local radio frequency (RF)signal. Outputs from system controllers communicated by their associatedgateways to the utility company may also use more than one communicationtype, for example with an RF signal between the system controllers and agateway, and a corresponding wired communication between the gateway andthe utility company.

The system controller is communicatively coupled to the equipment beingcontrolled using one or more types of communications links, such asthose typically implemented with conventional controllers. For instance,the system controller may include a wall-mounted thermostat wired to afurnace and/or air conditioner and adapted to receive user inputs (i.e.,temperature set points) for controlling the system. The wall-mountedthermostat may include, for example, an all-in-one unit with thethermostat being adapted to wirelessly communicate with the gateway, ora thermostat connected to a base having wireless capabilities, forexample, as discussed further in connection with FIG. 4.

The system controller also sends wireless signals including informationabout the equipment being controlled to the gateway. For instance,operational characteristics of an HVAC system can be sent to the gatewayand relayed to the utility company to ensure that users do notcircumvent the utility company's control effected via the gateway. Suchcircumvention may be used, in the absence of such monitoring, tooverride a reduction in energy consumption mandated by the utilitycompany. In addition, information for statistical monitoring ofoperational characteristics such as temperature set point and others canbe sent to the gateway and relayed to the utility company. When time ofusage is related to pricing, information regarding the time ofconsumption can also be sent to the gateway and relayed to the utilitycompany for use in pricing the consumption. These and other informativesignals are used for a variety of applications and controlimplementations involving the wireless gateway and system controllerarrangement.

FIG. 1 shows an HVAC controller 100 that communicates with a gateway 120via a wireless link 110 to control an HVAC system, according to anotherexample embodiment of the present invention. The HVAC controller 100 islocated in a user-accessible position, typically within a dwelling orother environment in which an HVAC system operates. For instance, theHVAC controller 100 can be used to replace a conventional wall-mountedthermostat. In this regard, the HVAC controller 100 can be poweredeither by wiring to a power supply (e.g., as would be done with aconventional thermostat) or with a battery. When used in place of aconventional wired thermostat, communications between the HVACcontroller 100 and an HVAC system use the conventional thermostat wiringthat couples the HVAC controller to an internal control circuit for theHVAC system (e.g., a printed circuit board enclosed in a furnace). Thegateway 120 communicates with a utility company 140 via a communicationslink 130 (e.g., telephone line, power line or wireless link) forreceiving control signals from and for sending information to theutility company.

The HVAC controller 100 includes a wireless communications circuit 112,such as an RF transceiver adapted to communicate between coupled a datalink 115 (e.g., local bus) and the gateway 120. The communicationscircuit 112 is matched with a similar communications circuit at thegateway 120 (e.g., with both employing matched RF transceivers). Whenthe HVAC controller 100 is battery powered, the wireless communicationscircuit 112 is optionally adapted to enter a low-power mode when notcommunicating. A thermostat processor 114 (e.g., a microcontroller)processes information received via the data link 115 from an inputdevice 111, temperature sensor 110 and the wireless communicationscircuit 112. Information including HVAC control information is displayedat a display device 113 as a function of the thermostat processor 114.The thermostat processor 114 further sends information via the data link115 to the wireless communications circuit 112 for communicating to theutility company 140 (via communications links 110 and 130 and gateway120). Communications from the HVAC controller 100 to the gateway 120 mayinclude information regarding characteristics of user intervention, suchas inputs to the HVAC controller to override energy-saving events,selections made at the HVAC controller and others.

The thermostat processor 114 typically responds to user inputs (e.g.,temperature set points and other HVAC control selections received at theinput device 111) and to temperature signals received from thetemperature sensor 110 by sending a control signal to an HVAC system.User inputs including configuration information can be stored and usedby the thermostat processor to automatically respond to utility controlsignals, for example by comparing the utility control signals to storedinputs relating to participation in an energy-saving event. Under highdemand, during a price-controlled event or in other instances warrantingexternal utility control, the utility company 140 sends utility controlsignals to the HVAC controller 100. In response, the thermostatprocessor 114 sends control signals to the HVAC system as a function ofthe utility control signals and/or other programmed settings or inputs.For instance, in response to high electrical usage conditions, theutility company 140 may send a utility control signal to the HVACcontroller 100 that instructs the HVAC controller to reduce power usage.In response to the utility control signal, the thermostat processor 114adjusts control settings for controlling the HVAC system to reduceenergy load. This adjustment may include one or more of a variety ofresponses, such as altering a temperature set point input received viathe input device 111 or cycling the HVAC equipment to reduce itsoperating time. In addition, adjusting control settings for the HVACsystem may also include using other data, such as user input data, pricetier data or time of day data, when determining or identifying aparticular control setting. Depending upon the implementation, circuitconfiguration and available utility company programs for customerparticipation, various levels of user control and HVAC controlleroperation are executed in this manner.

When the high utility demand conditions have passed, control of the HVACsystem is released back to the HVAC controller 110. In oneimplementation, the utility company 140 sends a signal to the HVACcontroller 110 to release control of the HVAC system back to the controlestablished by user inputs at input device 111. In anotherimplementation, the utility control signal sent to the HVAC controller100 includes timing information that sets an interval during which theutility control is to take place. When the timing interval has passed,control is automatically released to the HVAC controller 110.

In some implementations, the wireless communications circuit 112 has aunique identity used in the transmission of signals to the gateway 120for identifying the wireless communications circuit (and,correspondingly, the HVAC controller 100 and system that it controls).For instance, the gateway 120 may bind to the HVAC controller 100 bypolling for the unique identity of the wireless communications circuit112 during an initialization event where the unique identity is sent tothe gateway. During subsequent communications, the gateway 120 uses theunique identity to direct signals to the HVAC controller 100; if theunique identity is not referenced in a particular signal, the wirelesscommunications circuit 112 can ignore the signal. The unique identitycan also be used by the gateway 120 to identify a particular HVACcontroller 100 sending a signal, for example, when reporting informationto the utility company 140. Optionally, the gateway 120 assigns anidentifier to each wireless communications circuit to which it binds(e.g., after an initialization event as discussed above) andsubsequently uses the assigned identifier to exclusively communicatewith the wireless communications circuit. The use of such a uniqueidentity and/or assigned identifier facilitates accurate communicationsin an arrangement with more than one wireless device, such as more thanone HVAC controller 100.

In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is adapted to respondto pre-heating or pre-cooling control signals sent by the utilitycompany 140 in advance of a high-demand event. The HVAC controller 100pre-heats or pre-cools an environment to reduce the effect of thehigh-demand event in response to the control signals. For instance, whenthe HVAC controller 100 is controlling heating equipment (e.g., afurnace, electric heater or water heater), the utility company 140 sendsa pre-heating signal to the HVAC controller prior to a high fuel orelectrical demand event. In response, the HVAC controller 100 increasesthe amount of heat supplied to increase the temperature in theenvironment that the HVAC controller serves. When the high-demand eventoccurs, the utility company 140 sends a signal to the HVAC controller100 to reduce the heating load exerted on the utility company. Since theenvironment has been pre-heated, the drop in temperature in theenvironment relative to a temperature set point is reduced.

In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is adapted to displayinformation at the display device 113 to inform users of anenergy-saving event. In response, users can selectively chose toparticipate in the energy saving event via the input device 111, withthe selection being wirelessly communicated to the gateway 120 via thewireless communications link 110. The utility company 140 is notified ofthe participation and responds by sending a signal to the HVACcontroller 100 via the gateway 120 to reduce power consumption duringthe energy saving event.

In another implementation, the HVAC controller 100 is adapted to displaypricing tiers for energy usage. For example, the utility company 140 mayprovide price-per-unit information to the HVAC controller 100 fordifferent times and/or amounts of usage. The price tier information isdisplayed at the display device 113 and users can respond via the inputdevice 111 by selecting a price tier to participate in. Alternatively(or in addition), price tier acceptance information is stored at theHVAC controller 100 and, in response to price tier information providedby the utility company 140, the stored price tier acceptance informationis used to automatically accept and participate in the price tier. Withthese approaches, users can selectively participate in energy-savingevents offered by the utility company 140.

FIG. 2 shows a user dwelling 200 (e.g., a house) having an HVAC system220 and a water heater 224 both controlled with signals sent by awireless gateway 230, according to another example embodiment of thepresent invention. The gateway 230 communicates with a utility (orother) signal source 240, such as a radio frequency (RF) broadcasttower, the Internet or a telephone line for sending and receivingsignals as described in connection with the gateway 120 of FIG. 1. Awireless thermostat 210, similar to the wireless HVAC controller 100 ofFIG. 1, receives wireless information from the gateway 230 forcontrolling the HVAC system 220. For example, during a high-demandperiod, signals sent from the utility signal source 240 to the gateway230 to reduce energy consumption (power and/or fuel) at the HVAC system220 are passed to the wireless thermostat 210. In response, the wirelessthermostat 210 uses inputs received from the gateway 230 to overrideinputs received from users at the wireless thermostat for controllingthe operation of the HVAC system 220. The wireless thermostat 210 alsocommunicates characteristics of the HVAC system 220 to the gateway 230,for example to facilitate the monitoring of user inputs at the wirelessthermostat or operational characteristics of the HVAC system 220.

The water heater 224 is communicatively coupled to the gateway 230 viaeither a wired or wireless connection and thereby receives controlsignals from the utility signal source 240. In one implementation, thewater heater 224 includes a wireless controller similar to thecontroller 100 shown in FIG. 1 and communicates wirelessly with thegateway 230. In response to wireless signals received from the gateway230 and to user inputs received at the controller at the water heater224, the controller adjusts the operation of the water heater. Theadjustment may, for example, include lowering a temperature settingduring an energy-saving event or raising a temperature setting topre-heat the water prior to an energy-saving event. User selections madeat the water heater 224 and/or operational characteristics thereof areoptionally sent to the utility signal source 240 via the gateway 230 formonitoring purposes.

In a more particular implementation, the dwelling 200 includes two ormore wireless thermostats including wireless thermostats 210 and 212,each adapted to wirelessly communicate with the gateway 230. Eachwireless thermostat is selectively controlled by signals received fromthe gateway 230 as a function of programming at the gateway. Forexample, the gateway 230 can be programmed to control both wirelessthermostats 210 and 212 similarly, with wireless signals sent from thegateway being received by both thermostats.

Alternately, the wireless thermostats 210 and 212 can be programmeddifferently for different control approaches. For instance, when a userhas different heating or cooling zones in the dwelling 200, he or shemay be more amenable to having certain zones controlled by signalsreceived via the gateway 230. Heating or cooling zones for which themaintenance of predefined temperatures is not as important, such as abasement or garage, may be prime candidates for facilitating energyreduction. In this regard, thermostats that control the temperature inthese zones are used to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system220 by adjusting temperature set points in these zones accordingly.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, a gatewayfacilitates remote control of energy consuming equipment in anenvironment by users of the environment. Referring to FIG. 2 by way ofexample, a user owner of the dwelling 200 sends control signals from thesignal source 240 to the gateway 230 (e.g., with the signal source 240including a user access source, such as the Internet, via which the userenters control signals). The gateway 230 sends wireless information tothe wireless thermostat 210, which controls the HVAC system 220 inresponse thereto. With this approach, users can remotely control HVACequipment or other equipment via the gateway, either in addition to orseparate from any utility-based control.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an approach for controlling an HVACsystem with remote utility signals sent though a wireless gateway,according to another example embodiment of the present invention. Theapproach shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented, for example, with otherembodiments discussed herein such as the controller shown in FIG. 1and/or the approach shown in FIG. 2. At block 310, utility controlsignals are sent to a local gateway located within wireless transmissionrange of a wireless controller for HVAC equipment. At block 320, thegateway wirelessly communicates control signals to a wireless HVACcontroller, for example, by directly relaying control signals receivedat block 310 or by processing the control signals to generate newcontrol signals for the wireless HVAC controller.

At block 330, HVAC operational settings are set at the HVAC controllerin response to the control signals, which are selected to achieve one ormore of a variety of control characteristics. For instance, during peakload times, control signals sent from the utility company can beselected to set the HVAC controller to override and/or work with userinputs and to operate the HVAC system in a reduced consumption mode.Once the peak load time has passed, control signals indicating so andsent from the utility company are used to set the HVAC controller tocontrol the HVAC system as a function of user inputs received at theHVAC controller. At block 340, these operational settings set inresponse to the control signals at the HVAC controller are used tocontrol HVAC equipment, for example, by supplying control inputs to theequipment from the HVAC controller. With this approach, the HVACequipment is remotely controlled from a utility company withoutnecessarily accessing the HVAC equipment, facilitating installation ofthe on-site control capability with the HVAC equipment.

After the HVAC operational settings are set at the HVAC controller, theHVAC controller sends actual operational characteristics to the utilitycompany via the gateway at block 350 to assess the control of the HVACequipment. The reported operational characteristics are assessed by theutility company at block 355 and used to send additional utility controlsignals to the gateway at block 310. A variety of characteristics can besent to the utility company at block 350 and assessed at block 355. Forexample, user selections made at the HVAC controller can be reportedback to the utility company to enable active control and participationin energy savings events. Utility control signals sent at block 310 canthen be tailored to these user selections. As another example, actualoperating conditions of the HVAC equipment as detected at the HVACcontroller (e.g., actual run-time characteristics) can be sent to theutility company for monitoring purposes to ensure that users do notcircumvent utility control. Other characteristics, such as the actualtemperature of the environment at which the HVAC controller resides, canalso be reported, assessed and used to send control signals to thegateway. By controlling the HVAC system via the HVAC controller, theseand other parameters available at the controller but not typicallyavailable at the equipment itself can now be assessed at the utilitycompany. Alternatively, these actual operating conditions can be usedfor statistical purposes, such as for energy planning and scheduling.

In another implementation, pricing factors are applied to utility costsin response to the reported operational characteristics at block 360.The pricing factors may include, for example, a time-of-day usage factoror energy saving event factor, wherein costs for the particular utilitybeing used (e.g., electricity or fuel) are assigned as a function ofthese factors. For instance, if peak load times for electrical powerhappen during mid-afternoon on hot summer days, the utility company maywish to charge a premium for providing cooling energy during these peakperiods. In this regard, operational characteristics of the HVAC systemthat are reported at block 350 via the gateway are used to assign aprice to a portion of the energy use that falls during this peak period.Characteristics of these pricing factors are optionally reported back tothe HVAC controller via the gateway and displayed for viewing by users.This approach is readily implemented, for example, with the approachesdiscussed above wherein users can selectively participate inenergy-saving events and/or make other selections sent from the HVACcontroller to the utility company via the gateway.

FIG. 4 is an RF thermostat base arrangement 410 coupled to a thermostat420 and adapted to pass signals between the gateway and the thermostat,according to another example embodiment of the present invention. Thebase arrangement 410 includes an RF transceiver 412 and a built-inantenna that wirelessly communicate with the gateway 430, which in turncommunicates with a utility signal source 440. The thermostat 420includes a keypad 424 and a display 422 respectively adapted forreceiving inputs and for displaying data. The base arrangement 410couples to the thermostat 420 to apply control inputs thereto and toreceive reporting characteristics and/or user selections therefrom.Keypad inputs may include, for example, typical thermostat-type inputssuch as temperature set points for time of day and/or day of week, fancontrol inputs, immediate temperature control inputs and others. Inaddition, the keypad inputs may include user selections to becommunicated to the utility signal source 440.

Inputs received via the RF transceiver 412 can be used to override userinputs received at the keypad 424 in response to an energy saving eventcommunicated by the utility signal source 440. For instance, when thethermostat 420 is programmed to be responsive to the utility signalsource for reducing energy usage, inputs received at the keypad 424 forestablishing temperature set points are overridden to enable the energysaving event to control the thermostat. In addition, the keypad 424 isoptionally adapted to enable users to opt out of an energy saving event,which returns control of the thermostat 420 to the user via the keypad424. In this instance, the decision to opt out of the event iscommunicated to the gateway 430, which sends a corresponding signal tothe utility signal source 440 to inform the utility company of thedecision. Similarly, the thermostat 420 is optionally programmed toautomatically accept or opt out of participation in energy-saving eventsas a function of characteristics at the thermostat. For instance, thethermostat 420 can be programmed to decline participation in an energysaving event as a function of temperature sensed at the thermostat(e.g., to prevent freezing or overheating).

FIG. 5 shows a utility control system including a gateway 510 adapted topass signals between a utility signal source and a plurality ofthermostats, according to another example embodiment of the presentinvention. The gateway 510 is located within wireless range of wirelessthermostats for each of locations 520, 530, 540, 550 and 560 (e.g.,homes, commercial buildings). For example, when used in residentialneighborhoods, the gateway 510 can be located on a telephone pole, onthe outside of one of a home or other useful location. In response tosignals received from a local utility company, the gateway 510 sends awireless communication to each of the wireless thermostats 521, 531,541, 551 and 561. The wireless thermostats respond to the signals fromthe gateway 510 by controlling HVAC equipment accordingly, for exampleas a function of programmed settings at the wireless thermostats orother conditions relative to participation of the locations inutility-based energy consumption control. The wireless thermostats521-561 also send wireless information to the gateway 510, which can beused for identifying and monitoring the thermostats as discussed above.

Communications between the gateway 510 and each wireless thermostat may,for example, use a binding process for establishing propercommunications therebetween and for identifying a particular wirelessthermostat for sending and/or receiving signals. Such a binding processmay involve assigning identifiers to each of the wireless thermostats521-561, with the gateway 510 using the individual identifiers, or arange identifier values assigned to the thermostats, for identifyingsignals from the wireless thermostats. For general information regardingwireless communications and for specific information regarding bindingapproaches that may be used in connection with one or more exampleembodiments discussed herein, reference may be made to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/792,028, (HONY.015PA), entitled “WirelessAssociation Approach and Arrangement Therefor” filed concurrentlyherewith and fully incorporated herein by reference.

In one implementation, the gateway 510 sends a single RF signal that isreceived by each of the wireless thermostats 521-561 in response tosignals received from a utility company. The wireless thermostatsrespond to the RF signal by controlling energy consumption at theirrespective locations as a function of programming at the particularwireless thermostats. For instance, when a signal received at thegateway 510 from a utility company calls for reduced consumption, thegateway responds by sending a request to reduce consumption to all ofthe wireless thermostats 521-561. Each wireless thermostat responds inone or more of a variety of manners, for example, by changingtemperature set points to reduce power consumption, by cycling HVACequipment or by ignoring the gateway if a non-participation mode is set.Operational characteristics of the wireless thermostats andcorresponding HVAC systems that each wireless thermostat controls arethen sent to the gateway 510 for communication to the utility company.With this approach, individual signals need not necessarily be tailoredfor each wireless thermostat to which the gateway 510 is communicating.However, feedback from each wireless thermostat in response to thesignals can still be individually obtained and identified.

In another implementation, the gateway 510 is programmed to tailorsignals for one or more of the wireless thermostats 521-561. Forexample, the signals for a particular wireless thermostat can betailored to match a particular energy savings plan subscribed to by thelocation controlled with the wireless thermostat. Using wirelessthermostat 521 as an example, user selections made at the wirelessthermostat are sent to the gateway 510 and stored for use inestablishing utility control, using binding or another approach tocontrol communications between the wireless thermostat and the gateway.These user selections may include, for example, types of energy savingsevents to participate in, levels of participation (e.g., how much of areduction in energy usage or how many degrees in temperature set pointschange when requested) and others. When the gateway 510 receives signalsfrom a utility company, the signals are processed as a function of theselections stored at the gateway for the wireless thermostat 521. Asignal is then generated for and sent to the wireless thermostat 521 asa function of both the utility company signals and the storedselections. This approach is also applicable, for example, to the use ofmultiple wireless thermostats in a single environment using an approachsimilar to that discussed in connection with FIG. 2 above, with eachthermostat having signals tailored specifically for it. In this regard,individual thermostats in a single environment can be selectivelycontrolled.

In another example embodiment, the wireless thermostat 531 is configuredand arranged to relay information between the gateway 510 and other HVACcontrollers. For instance, when the gateway 510 receives a signal from autility company for controlling energy, the signal is passed to thewireless thermostat 531 and correspondingly relayed to the wirelessthermostat 521. Any response of the wireless thermostat 521 is sent tothe wireless thermostat 531 and relayed to the gateway 510. With thisapproach, utility company based energy control can be effected usingfewer gateways, effectively using a relay approach to extend the rangeof the gateway 510.

In another example embodiment, the wireless thermostat 531 includes thegateway 510 and is adapted to communicate directly to a utility signalsource. In addition to controlling HVAC equipment in the location 530,the wireless thermostat 531 also functions as the gateway 510 for thewireless thermostats in locations 520, 540, 550 and 560 (and otherswithin range of the gateway). With this approach, the installation ofutility control systems can be simplified.

For instance, when installing such a system in a neighborhood includinglocations 520-560, a first location subscribing to utility energycontrol can be fitted with a combined wireless thermostat and gateway.Using location 530 as an example with wireless thermostat 531 includinga gateway, subsequent installations in the neighborhood that are withincommunication range of location 530 are then communicatively coupled tothe wireless thermostat 531. Utility energy control of subsequentinstallations in locations 520, 540, 550 and 560 is correspondinglyeffected using the wireless thermostat 531 as a gateway, similar to theapproach discussed above using gateway 510 for these locations.

FIG. 6 shows a wireless HVAC controller 610 configured and arranged towirelessly communicate with a utility provider via a utility signalsource 640 for controlling equipment at user location 600, according toanother example embodiment of the present invention. The wireless systemcontroller 610 may, for example, be used in connection with the exampleembodiment discussed in connection with FIG. 5 wherein the wirelessthermostat 531 includes the gateway 510. The wireless HVAC controller610 includes a wireless transceiver for communicating with the utilitysignal source 640 and with additional wireless HVAC controllersincluding wireless thermostats 612 and 651, respectively at userlocations 600 and 650. Using binding or another approach, each wirelessHVAC controller to be controlled with the wireless HVAC controller 610is identified for establishing specific communications and reportingcharacteristics for each wireless HVAC controller back to the utilitycompany. The wireless HVAC controller 610 controls an HVAC system 620using wired or wireless connections, for example, as with a conventionalthermostat and/or in a manner similar to that discussed in connectionwith FIG. 1 above.

A plurality of energy-consuming devices can be controlled with thewireless HVAC controller 610. For instance, a water heater 630 isoptionally controlled using the wireless HVAC controller 610 as agateway, with control signals received from the utility signal source640 being used to control the water heater. The wireless HVAC controller610 is coupled to the water heater 630 using a wired or wireless link.In one implementation, the wireless HVAC controller 610 acts effectivelyas a gateway for communicating with the water heater 630, as discussedabove in connection with FIG. 2 and the gateway 230. In anotherimplementation, the wireless HVAC controller 610 also controls the waterheater 630, for example in response to user set points input at thewireless HVAC controller.

FIG. 7 shows an approach for installing and operating an HVAC controlsystem, according to another example embodiment of the presentinvention. The approach shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented, for example,to install control systems and to facilitate control approachesdiscussed herein. At block 710, a wireless transceiver is installed at auser-accessible location at a user premises, such as at a wall-mountedthermostat location. At block 720, an HVAC controller such as athermostat is coupled to the wireless transceiver. A gateway isinstalled outside of the user premises at block 730, for example on theexterior of a home or on a local utility pole. At block 740, thewireless transceiver is bound to the gateway for establishingcommunications between the gateway and the HVAC controller. At block750, the gateway is communicatively coupled with a remote utility signalsource, for example simply by powering the gateway and/or by initiatinga binding or other recognition-type process. HVAC equipment control isestablished at block 760 with the HVAC controller as a function ofsignals received from the gateway via the wireless transceiver. Forinstance, temperature set points controlled at block 760 can be used tocontrol the corresponding operation of the HVAC equipment via existingwiring to which the HVAC controller is coupled (e.g., at block 720).With this approach, utility-based control of HVAC equipment can beeffected using an installation process that is relatively short and doesnot necessarily require access to HVAC equipment.

The foregoing description of various example embodiments of theinvention has been presented for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, awireless controller for a multitude of energy-consuming appliances canbe used in place of the controllers described herein (e.g., in place ofthe HVAC controllers). It is intended that the scope of the invention belimited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermostat for use in controlling a furnace ofa building or other structure, the thermostat comprising: a thermostathousing; a user interface housed by the thermostat housing for allowinga user to interact with the thermostat; a wireless transceiver housed bythe thermostat housing, wherein the wireless transceiver is not part ofany gateway if present in the thermostat housing, the wirelesstransceiver configured to wirelessly receive user-based control commandsand/or utility-based control commands from a remote gateway locatedremotely from the thermostat, the user-based control commands entered bya user via a user access device; a temperature sensor for sensing atemperature inside the building or other structure; a thermostatcontroller housed by the thermostat housing and operatively coupled tothe user interface, the wireless transceiver and the temperature sensor,the thermostat controller having a control algorithm that generatescontrol signals for controlling the operation of the furnace based, atleast in part, on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and acurrent temperature setpoint, the thermostat controller furtherconfigured to change the current temperature setpoint based, at least inpart, on: (1) the user-based control commands that are received via thewireless transceiver; and/or (2) the utility-based control commands thatare received via the wireless transceiver; wherein the user-basedcontrol commands can be used to change the current temperature setpointin addition to or separate from the utility based control commands; andthe thermostat controller further configured to wirelessly transmit viathe wireless transceiver and the remote gateway a characteristic of thethermostat including a temperature set point to the user access device.2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the user-based control commandsallow a user to remotely control the thermostat.
 3. The thermostat ofclaim 2, wherein the thermostat controller is configured to accept userinput from the user via the user interface of the thermostat and tochange the current temperature setpoint based on the user input, andwherein the user-based control commands allow a user to remotelyover-ride the current temperature setpoint that was changed based on theuser input.
 4. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the utility-basedcontrol commands allow a utility to remotely control the thermostat. 5.The thermostat of claim 4, wherein the thermostat controller isconfigured to accept user input from the user via the user interface ofthe thermostat and to change the current temperature setpoint based onthe user input, and wherein the utility-based control commands allow autility to remotely over-ride the current temperature setpoint that waschanged based on the user input.
 6. The thermostat of claim 1, whereinthe thermostat controller is configured to transmit control commands viathe wireless transceiver for reception by another thermostat.
 7. Thethermostat of claim 6, wherein the thermostat controller is configuredto relay one or more of the received user-based control commands toanother thermostat via the wireless transceiver.
 8. The thermostat ofclaim 6, wherein the thermostat controller is configured to process oneor more of the received user-based control commands, generate one ormore new user-based control commands, and transmit the one or more newuser-based control commands via the wireless transceiver for receptionby another thermostat.
 9. The thermostat of claim 6, wherein thethermostat controller is configured to relay one or more of the receivedutility-based control commands to another thermostat via the wirelesstransceiver.
 10. The thermostat of claim 6, wherein the thermostatcontroller is configured to process one or more of the receivedutility-based control commands, generate one or more new utility-basedcontrol commands, and transmit the one or more new utility-based controlcommands via the wireless transceiver for reception by anotherthermostat.
 11. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostatcontroller is configured to transmit one or more operationalcharacteristics of the furnace via the wireless transceiver.